Sean Wheeler on Q-100's The Bert Show

Check out this clip from my appearance on The Bert Show... one of the most popular morning radio shows in Atlanta - on Q-100 (99.7FM). Thursday, November 19th was the 34th Annual Great American Smokeout... and they wanted me to hypnotize morning show personality Jenn Hobby to stop smoking. Good info & laughs included...

Client Feedback: First Week After Hypnosis

Just got this email from a client I saw this week. As always, I received her permission before posting it here. This gives a good example of what you can expect during the first few days:

"I just wanted to give you an update, its been 96 hours and NO SMOKING!!!!!! I am so happy, I'm not going to say that I have not thought about smoking, but that's just it. When the thought comes into my mind, it goes out just as fast. I have had NO withdraws or thoughts of giving in. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.... YOU are Awesome!"
-Amy Whisnant

VIDEO: My Clients - In Their Own Words

New Video: Introduction to Pure Hypnosis

Georgia Smokers to Shell Out an Extra 62 Cents Per Pack Starting Today

It's no April Fool's joke.

Starting today, Georgia smokers will have to pay an extra 62 cents per pack of cigarettes. That works out to an extra $6.20 per carton, or more than $200/year for the average smoker.

This is thanks to a new federal tax, which you can learn more about here: http://is.gd/q7EQ

So... it may be just the right time to think about quitting after all, huh?

Success Story: Stop Smoking Seminar on Jan 4th, 2009

Just received more feedback from someone who attended my free Stop Smoking seminar on World Hypnotism Day. It's been almost 3 months now... and it appears that Andrew is doing quite well. Smoke-free and not looking back...

Here's his email (printed with permission):

Hey Sean,

Just a quick update from me. I am still smoke free from our first and only session on World Hypnotism Day on January 4, 2009 (about 12 weeks later!). Seriously, you have changed my life more than I can explain and I don’t even think about cigarettes in my life.

I have friends who are now using my story as inspiration and I have been telling them about how fantastic it feels and how simple it can be. Also, my friend [name withheld] has been working with you and I know she is enjoying her time and feels like your sessions are very beneficial. I have a few other folks who I have referred to you for smoking so I hope they can find the success that I have found.

Thank you again.

Andrew Rader

Client: "I completely forgot about smoking"

Last week a client of mine (and 35-year, every day smoker) was kind enough to do a brief interview with me about her experience since using my Stop Smoking Hypnosis program a little more than four months ago. I have to admit, her feedback was impressive... even to me!

I'll have a full audio interview with her posted this week, but in the meantime, here are a few of her very own words in print:

"I was a die-hard smoker. I never really thought I could quit.

I was hoping and praying that this would work. I just didn't know how easy and effortless it was going to be... just completely effortless.

I kept thinking 'I'm forgetting something... I don't know what I'm forgetting, but I'm forgetting something.'

I didn't even think about smoking. It didn't even enter my mind. Within a week or so, I truly forgot about smoking. It was just amazing. It was a miracle.

It's been four months and I know I'm never going to smoke again. I don't even think about smoking... it's the last thing on my mind. It's just not a part of my life anymore."

Jan Madajewski
Flowery Branch, GA

Success Story from WHD Stop Smoking Seminar

Here is some feedback from someone who attended my Stop Smoking Hypnosis Seminar on World Hypnotism Day - January 4th, 2009.

"Hi Sean! I wanted to give you a update on my experiences since your seminar. First and foremost I am smoke-FREE! I have been since the group seminar, and I've gone through some really challenging times in the last two months. I had tried every method to quit before, and with your help I have kicked this thing once and for all!

Thanks for all you do, it has really worked for me!"

Kristin Zimmermann
Atlanta, GA

FREE Stop Smoking Event on Feb 28th

That's right... I'm hosting a follow-up event to the free stop smoking hypnosis seminar on January 4th. This time it's a smaller gathering - limited to 10 people - that will take place at my home office in Marietta.



Here are the details:

What: FREE Stop Smoking Hypnosis Event
Where: Pure Hypnosis, LLC
When: Feb 28th, 2009
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Register: Stop Smoking Solution Meetup Group

Stage Hypnosis Secrets Revealed... or, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Hypnosis"

It's time to put to rest all those worries about losing control while hypnotized. Check out the podcast below where I talk in detail about how stage hypnosis works and why you don't have to worry about clucking like a chicken if you're there to stop smoking.

FREE Stop Smoking Event - How To Sign Up!

There are THREE WAYS to Sign Up for this Event:

1. Phone: (678) 488-7362 (leave name, phone number & mention the FREE event)
2. Email: purehypnosis@mac.com
3. Meetup.com (click this link for the sign-up page)
   

Here are the full details:

Who: 88 Future Non-Smokers
What: Stop Smoking Group Hypnosis Seminar
Where: Doubletree Hotel on Windy Hill Rd (Cabernet Room)
When: January 4th, 2009 @ 4:00pm
Why: World Hypnotism Day
Cost: FREE
Parking: FREE

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... so register NOW to secure your spot!

Any questions? Email purehypnosis@mac.com and I'll respond personally within 24 hours.

See you there!

-Sean Wheeler

VA Testing Chantix on Vets Without Warning of Dangers

Here's an article from the Washington Times which details the problems with testing drugs on a very vulnerable portion of the population - veterans of the armed forces returning from duty in Iraq.

The pertinent section to you as the reader involves Chantix, the drug that has been linked to depression and suicide in the U.S., U.K. and elsewhere.

Click here for the full article at the Washington Times.

Here's the portion that pertains to Chantix:

--------------



[President-Elect Barack] Obama, [Rep. Bob] Filner and other lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called for an investigation into a smoking cessation study, which Mr. Peake immediately initiated.

The experiment tracked 240 veterans taking the drug Chantix to examine which forms of counseling were more beneficiary - smoking clinics or through a separate counselor. James Elliott, an Army infantryman who was wounded in Iraq, says the drug caused him to experience a mental breakdown and a showdown with police who used a Taser to subdue him in February.

Mr. Elliott said the VA didn't warn him about new FDA concerns that Chantix was linked to psychotic behavior and nearly 40 suicides until nearly a month after his disturbing incident occurred earlier this year.

The internal investigation confirmed that Mr. Elliott was not alone. It took medical professionals involved in the study anywhere from 16 to 134 days to notify participants taking Chantix about the new warnings.

------------

As with any mention of Chantix, I will take this opportunity to remind the reader of my personal stance on psychotropic drugs, which is, quite simply, "don't take them." The benefits very rarely outweigh the risks, and there are nearly always side-effects.

As for the ability of a drug like Chantix to assist you with smoking cessation, my advice is more specific: "you don't need it." You can quit smoking on your own, without drugs, patches, gums, lasers, needles or even hypnosis.

You can do it.

When I use hypnosis with my clients, I give to them what some ex-smokers have given to themselves -- a clear awareness of their motivation, along with a focus on the benefits of being a non-smoker. This not only works, it also produces a feeling of accomplishment and self-sufficiency - independence, if you will... that can only be achieved through learning to use the power of your mind.

Those who are successful quitting through other methods do receive the benefits of being smoke-free, which is fantastic. What they don't receive are the benefits of learning just how powerful they truly are when their mind is properly focused.

It's not just getting the results you desire that's important - it's also the sense of pride you feel that fuels your ability to accomplish other things in life that are perhaps even more meaningful.

Change I Can Believe In? Stop Smoking, Mr. President-Elect!

Atlanta’s Stop Smoking Expert, Sean Wheeler challenges President-Elect Barack Obama to Quit Smoking on World Hypnotism Day - January 4th, 2009. Wheeler will hypnotize 88 smokers to quit the habit for good at a free event in Marietta, GA.

Atlanta, GA -- Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist Sean Wheeler has challenged President-Elect Barack Obama to stop smoking in conjunction with the 5th Annual World Hypnotism Day on January 4th, 2009. Obama recently admitted that he still struggles with the habit to Tom Brokaw on Meet the Press.



Each year, 390,000 Americans die from the effects of smoking, according to the American Red Cross.

“I challenge our next President to set an example for the American people,” said Wheeler, a certified member of the National Guild of Hypnotists. “I think he should take a stand, be a true leader and say to every smoker in America that ‘Yes, we can’ become smoke-free.”

January 4th is the day when hypnosis professionals in more than 20 countries around the world promote the benefits of hypnotism. At this year's seminar in Atlanta, the biggest free stop smoking event in Georgia’s history, anyone - even Mr. Obama - can learn to become smoke-free.

“Many thousands of people have used hypnosis to quit, including some well-known celebrities like Ellen Degeneres and Matt Damon,” Wheeler explained, “it only makes sense that Mr. Obama would use a proven method that would allow him to serve as a role model for the entire country.”

Wheeler is well aware of the implications of such a powerful figure using something as commonly misunderstood as hypnosis.

“Some people might worry I’d try to make him a Republican,” Wheeler laughed, “but hypnosis doesn’t work like that. If it did, I’d try to persuade him to change his mind about the Bailout Bill.”

The free event will take place in the Cabernet Room of the Doubletree Hotel on Windy Hill Rd from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Sunday, January 4th, 2009. Information on how to register for the event is available at www.purehypnosis.com/worldhypnotismday.

---

Sean Wheeler is available for media interviews at 678-488-7362. Members of the press can find more information online at http://www.purehypnosis.com.

About Sean Wheeler

Sean Wheeler is a Board Certified Hypnotist with the National Guild of Hypnotists and the founder of Pure Hypnosis, LLC. He is the author of The Stop Smoking Solution - Atlanta’s premiere Smoking Cessation blog, and his articles have been published all over the web. Additionally, Sean Wheeler has appeared on CNN, CNN Headline News and TBS. He has performed as master of ceremonies, entertainer and speaker at venues including Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, as well as for academic and scientific organizations throughout Georgia and the Southeast.

Stop Smoking Hypnosis: How it Works

World Hypnotism Day Event... Details Coming SOON

Just a quick update for you here.

The big World Hypnotism Day (WHD) event is coming more into focus by the day. The venue should be decided very, very soon.



It will definitely be somewhere in the southern tip of Marietta, likely Windy Hill Rd... not too far from my home office.

As of this moment, here's what we DO know about this FREE Stop Smoking Hypnosis Event:

Date: Sunday, January 4th
Time: 4:00pm
Location: TBD (Marietta/Smyrna area)
Cost: FREE

This event will include information about hypnosis and how it can benefit YOU... all presented in a very entertaining and non-boring fashion (hey, I'm a comedian at heart). The main event will be the finale - a group hypnosis session that will help the Lucky 88 guests to become non-smokers for life.

I will also be giving away more FREE goodies... including 1-on-1 sessions in my office, hypnosis CD's and more. Basically, if you're a smoker who wants to quit, you have absolutely NOTHING to lose, and EVERYTHING to gain.

So tell all your smoker friends to save the date. Better yet, sign yourselves up at the Meetup.com site we've set up: http://www.meetup.com/Metro-Atlanta-s-Stop-Smoking-Solution/calendar/9279995/.

For more info about World Hypnotism Day: http://www.worldhypnotismday.com/

Check back soon for more updates!

Remedy for Hard Times: Cigarettes and Big Mac's?

Please note the sarcasm in the above headline.

[yes, hypnotherapists are permitted to have a sense of humor]

I found this story today from Reuters, wherein we discover that due to the increased stress of the financial crisis and struggling economy, smokers are lighting up more often. Even a few non-smokers are falling off the wagon, citing the economy and stress as reasons for resuming the habit. More on Mickey D's follows below...

Check it out:

Hard Times Prompt Americans to Increase Smoking

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Stress caused by a slowing economy, shrinking retirement accounts and rising unemployment rates is driving some American smokers to increase the habit or delay quitting, according to a new survey.

A quarter of smokers who are worried about the economy said fretting over it has driven them to smoke more each day, while another 13 percent said they have delayed quitting.


What's that? Smoking has become cool again?

"The turbulent global stock markets have caused virtually every American a certain level of stress. Those who also struggle with an addiction to tobacco products are at an increased disadvantage as they contemplate quitting, or feel the urge to smoke more cigarettes," Cheryl Healton, the president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation, said in a statement.

View the full story here.

If that weren't bad enough... on the very same day, I see this headline on the Drudge Report:

McDonald's Same-Store Sales Rise 8.2 Percent



NEW YORK (AP) -- Consumers worldwide who are watching their spending bought more burgers and chicken breakfast biscuits at McDonald's in October, leading to a big rise in sales at established locations for the fast-food leader.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

Now listen, I understand that times are tough. Unemployment is up, there are bills to pay, credit card debt is piling up, and you just don't know what the heck you're going to do about it.

One thing is certain, though - poisoning yourself with cigarettes and greasy food is not the answer. These things make you feel worse, not better... that's in the short-term and the long-term.

If you're going to cut corners, cut out the $4/day nicotine habit. Replace it with a decent, home-cooked meal. You'll not only feel better immediately, your body will reward you down the road:

You won't get sick as often.
When you do get sick, it won't be as bad or as long.
You'll have more energy.
You'll look better.

I could really go on, but the very simple point is that these crutches don't work. Cigarettes don't eliminate stress... they just distract you for a few minutes. The problems return as soon as you put it out (oh, I know... you clever ones will say "that means you just light up another one!"... but there's really no need to try to reason with you).

Your financial difficulties are going to be best addressed when you're healthy and in a good frame of mind. Try relaxing a bit - naturally. Eat a healthy meal. Find the best, most efficient method of quitting the smoking habit and do it right away. The money you save on cigarettes will add up quickly, no matter how much you spend to quit.

Oh, and go watch the documentary "Super-Size Me"... that'll cure your McDonald's addiction very quickly.